Effects of supplement type on performance, reproductive, and physiological responses of Brahman-crossbred females

J Anim Sci. 2007 Oct;85(10):2564-74. doi: 10.2527/jas.2006-684. Epub 2007 May 25.

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to compare the performance and physiological responses of forage-fed beef females supplemented with either a molasses-based (ML) or a citrus pulp-based (CT) supplement. In Exp. 1, BW gain, reproductive performance, and concentrations of blood urea N (BUN), plasma glucose, insulin, IGF-I, and progesterone (P4) were assessed in 60 Brahman x Angus heifers supplemented 3 times weekly with either ML or CT. Supplement intakes were formulated to be isocaloric and isonitrogenous. Reproductive performance was not affected by treatments, but mean BW gain was greater (P < 0.01) for heifers fed CT than for those fed ML (0.40 vs. 0.30 kg/d). Mean plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, and IGF-I were greater (P < 0.05) for heifers fed CT, whereas BUN was greater (P < 0.05) for heifers fed ML. Mean plasma P4 concentration did not differ between treatments, but both groups had lower plasma P4 concentrations during days that supplements were offered (P < 0.01). In Exp. 2, forage DMI and concentrations of BUN, plasma glucose, insulin, IGF-I, and P4 were assessed in 24 Brahman x British mature cows supplemented with the same treatments described in Exp. 1. Overall forage DMI did not differ between treatments, but a day effect and a treatment x day interaction were detected (P < 0.05). Both groups consumed less forage during the days on which the supplements were offered (P < 0.01), and forage DMI for cows fed CT was less (P < 0.05) than for cows fed ML during those days. No differences were detected in any blood or plasma measurement. In addition, no differences in concentrations of P4 were detected between CT- and ML-fed cows. We concluded that CT-supplemented heifers had greater BW gain compared with ML-supplemented heifers, but no differences in reproductive performance were observed. We also observed that CT-supplemented cows had a greater variability in forage DMI compared with ML-supplemented cows.

MeSH terms

  • Animal Feed
  • Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
  • Animals
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Blood Urea Nitrogen
  • Cattle / blood
  • Cattle / growth & development*
  • Cattle / physiology*
  • Citrus*
  • Crosses, Genetic
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Energy Intake / drug effects
  • Energy Intake / physiology
  • Female
  • Insulin / blood
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / metabolism
  • Molasses*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Rate
  • Progesterone / blood
  • Random Allocation
  • Reproduction / physiology*
  • Weight Gain*

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Insulin
  • Progesterone
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I